Encoding information in physical properties of an object

ABSTRACT

A method, system for encoding or decoding information in physical properties of an object. A tangible product comprises a three dimensional tangible object having modified physical properties; and wherein the modified physical properties are a modification of physical properties, wherein the modification encodes information. A method comprising: obtaining a representation of a three dimensional object having physical properties; obtaining information to encode; determining modified physical properties by modifying the physical properties to encode within the modified physical properties the information; and producing a tangible product, wherein the tangible product is the three dimensional object having the modified physical properties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to encoding of information in general,and to three-dimensional product identification, in particular.

BACKGROUND

An Additive Manufacturing Apparatus (AMA), often referred to asThree-Dimensional (3D) printer, is a machine that produces tangibleproducts from a digital representation, such as retained in a data file.Such an operation is also referred to as AMA production. 3D printers canproduce objects that may be used for any purpose, from prototypingtrough full-scale production including tooling and post-productioncustomization. A 3D printer may utilize an additive process, wheresuccessive layers of material are laid down on top of each other toproduce the product. In some cases, the 3D printer may utilize a varietyof different materials to produce the product. Each layer is “printed”by adding material in desired locations. The smallest, most basic,element produced by the 3D printer is referred to as a “voxel”, and itrepresents a volumetric pixel in the product. Additive process may bedistinguished from other manufacturing processes such as for exampletraditional subtractive machining such as filing, milling, drilling,welding, grinding, and the like.

Recently 3D printers are becoming more affordable and therefore moreavailable in the consumer marketplace. The practical ability ofindividuals, hobbyist and organizations to produce, using 3D printers,infringing copies or illegal products for personal use, nonprofitdistribution, or for sale raises a major challenge for the legal systemand law enforcement agencies.

Early in 2013 a disclosed plan of a working plastic gun was found on theInternet and could be reproduced by anybody with a 3D printer. It was aversion of a 3D printable AR-15 type rifle capable of lasting more than650 rounds. After that incidence, questions were raised regarding theeffects that 3D printing may have on gun control effectiveness. The U.S.Department of Homeland Security and the Joint Regional IntelligenceCenter released a memo stating that “significant advances in 3D printingcapabilities, availability of free digital 3D printer files for firearmscomponents, and difficulty regulating file sharing may present publicsafety risks from unqualified gun seekers who obtain or manufacture 3Dprinted guns,” and that “proposed legislation to ban 3D printing ofweapons may deter, but cannot completely prevent their production. Evenif the practice is prohibited by new legislation, online distribution ofthese digital files will be as difficult to control as any otherillegally traded music, movie or software files.”

BRIEF SUMMARY

One exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is a methodcomprising: obtaining a representation of a three dimensional objecthaving physical properties; obtaining information to encode; determiningmodified physical properties by modifying the physical properties toencode within the modified physical properties the information; andproducing a tangible product, wherein the tangible product is the threedimensional object having the modified physical properties.

Another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is atangible product comprising: a three dimensional tangible object havingmodified physical properties; and wherein the modified physicalproperties are a modification of physical properties, wherein themodification encodes information.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is amethod comprising: obtaining a digital representation of a threedimensional object having physical properties; determining informationto be encoded within the physical properties of the three dimensionalobject; and generating, by a processor, a modified digitalrepresentation of a modified three dimensional object having modifiedphysical properties, wherein the modified three dimensional object isbased on the three dimensional object, wherein the modified physicalproperties is a modification of the physical properties, wherein themodification encodes the information.

Yet another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is amethod comprising: analyzing physical properties of a three dimensionaltangible object, wherein the three dimensional tangible object wasproduced by an additive manufacturing apparatus, wherein information isencoded within the physical properties; decoding, by a processor, theinformation from the physical properties; and outputting theinformation.

THE BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosed subject matter will be understood and appreciatedmore fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the drawings in which corresponding or like numerals or charactersindicate corresponding or like components. Unless indicated otherwise,the drawings provide exemplary embodiments or aspects of the disclosureand do not limit the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a flowchart diagram of a method, in accordance with someexemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart diagram of a method, in accordance with someexemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 3 shows a tangible product in which the disclosed subject matter isused, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the subjectmatter;

FIG. 4 shows a two dimensional signature, in accordance with someexemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 5 shows a three dimensional signature, in accordance with someexemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an apparatus, in accordance with someexemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart diagram of a method, in accordance with someexemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter; and

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart diagram of a method, in accordance with someexemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed subject matter is described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of thesubject matter. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable medium that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instruction meanswhich implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational Steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/actsspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

One technical problem dealt with by the disclosed subject matter is toidentify a source of a produced product which was produced using a 3Dprinter. The source, such as a specific machine which was used toproduce the product, may allow law enforcement agencies to identify aculprit who has used a printed product during a crime.

Another technical problem dealt with by the disclosed subject matter isto allow proprietors of designs to be able to determine, for a givenproduct that was produced using a 3D printer, whether the producedproduct was produced under license or with their consent. Proprietors ofthe designs may be, for example, the designer or other owner of acopyright on the design, a design patent on the design, or otherIntellectual Property (IP) rights in the designs. The proprietors mayalso be exclusive licensors of IP rights, licensors of IP rights, orother parties who have interest in controlled distribution of thedesign.

It will be understood that in traditional manufacturing process, it maybe hard for an infringer to create knock-offs of a design. However, withthe introduction of 3D printing technology a counterfeiter may get ahold of a digital file of the design and use it to produce infringingarticles. In the digital world, the ease of online data distributionexposes the proprietor of designs to similar challenges as the music,movie and software industries are facing today. The disclosed subjectmatter deals with this problem of providing effective monitoring andtracing of products that were produced using 3D printing technologies.

Yet another technical problem dealt with by the disclosed subject matteris to encode the identifying information within the product, so as toallow decoding of the information from the product itself. In someembodiments, the encoded identifying information may be difficult orimpossible to remove from either the 3D product or the digitalrepresentation of the product.

One technical solution is to modify the product physical properties in away that the delta between the modified product and the original productmay represent the encoded identifying information. The modification ofthe physical properties of the product may be, for example, a change ofthe aspect ratio, a change in length of the product, a change in thechemical composition, a change of the electromagnetic properties, achange in the infill density used to produce the product, a combinationthereof, or the like. In some embodiments, the modification may includeembedding within the product one or more replicas of signatures. Asignature may be a matrix which encodes the information. The replica ofthe signature may be an array of cells each of which corresponding to adifferent value based on its content. In some embodiments, a pluralityof replicas is embedded within the product, in a body portion thereof,and therefore is invisible to the naked eye. Replicas that are excludedfrom the skin portion of the product may also be harder to remove asthey are concealed by the skin portion.

Another technical solution is to encode identifying information relatedto the manufacturing process in the physical properties of the producedproduct. The manufacturing process identifying information may be, forexample, a Media Access Control (MAC) Address of the AMA used to producethe product or other identifiers of the AMA, a product serial number,manufacturing time, a combination thereof, or the like.

Yet another technical solution is to encode proprietor informationwithin the physical properties of the product. The proprietorinformation may be, for example, a part number, a brand name, any datarelevant for the product identification, licensing information,identification of a licensee, a combination thereof, or the like.

Yet another technical solution is to encode the information provided bythe proprietor in a digital representation of the product. In someembodiments, a file retaining a representation of the product ismodified so as the modification introduces into the modified physicalproperties of the product the information. The modification of the filemay, for example, modify a length of the product, change in aspectratio, embedding of replicas of a signature within the product, or thelike.

One technical effect of utilizing the disclosed subject matter isequipping the 3D additive manufacturing process with tools to concealrelevant identifying information by integrating that information withinthe physical properties of the produced article. Therefore, an attemptto remove the product identifying information from a product that wasmanufactured by an AMA utilizing the disclosed subject matter processmay be difficult or impossible.

Another technical effect of utilizing the disclosed subject matter isthat the AMA may integrate its own identifier within the printed articleduring the manufacturing process, regardless of the manufacturerintentions. This may serve as an equivalent of fingerprints for tracingthe manufacturer post factum. In some exemplary embodiments, thedisclosed subject matter may be used to establish a technique forprotecting intellectual property and assisting law enforcement withtracing illegal products such as guns and unauthorized copies ofcommercial products which were produced by 3D printers.

Yet another technical effect of utilizing the disclosed subject matteris to enable proprietors and law enforcement agencies to utilizescientific equipment that may be used for tracing the perpetrators anddetermining the product authenticity. Such scientific equipment may be aComputerized Tomography (CT) scanner, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI), a 3D high resolution scanner, a high-resolution scale, aspectrometer, or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the scientificequipment may be non-specialized equipment which may be publiclyavailable. In some exemplary embodiments, decoding information may beperformed using destructive process in which layers of the product maybe iteratively removed to analyze the physical properties of the productand identify signatures embedded therein.

Yet another technical effect of the disclosed subject matter isproviding the proprietor with a file that is usable for AMA production.The proprietor may transfer the file to recipients to be used in AMAproduction. As a result of the fact that the physical properties of theproduct, as defined in the file, encode specific information provided bythe proprietor, the proprietor may monitor, post factum, use of the filein AMA production. As an example, the proprietor may encode informationidentifying the recipient and by decoding such information from producedproducts, may identify a recipient which has produced unauthorizedcopies or provided the file to be used in production of such infringingcopies.

Referring now to FIG. 1, showing a flowchart diagram of a method inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

In Step 100, a data representation of the 3D object may be obtained tobe used in producing a product. The data representation may be a digitaldata file obtained by an I/O module such as 607 of FIG. 6. The digitalfile may be a Computer Aided Design (CAD) format file, a StandardTemplate Library (STL) format file, a Polygon File Format (PLY) formatfile, Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) format file, X3D formatfile, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the datarepresentation may be a digital representation that is not necessarilyretained within any file.

In Step 110, information may be obtained. The information may beinformation provided by a proprietor, information related to themanufacturing process, a combination thereof, or the like. In someexemplary embodiments, the proprietor information may be a part number,a product number, a brand name, any data relevant for the productidentification, licensing information, identification of a licensee, acombination thereof, or the like. The information may be obtained from auser, from a digital repository, or the like. In some exemplaryembodiments, the information may be obtained by an I/O module such as607 of FIG. 6. In some exemplary embodiments, the manufacturing processinformation may be a MAC address, a product serial number, manufacturingtime, a combination thereof, or the like. The manufacturing processinformation may be obtained by an I/O module such as 607 of FIG. 6.Additionally or alternatively, the manufacturing process information maybe acquired on board an additive manufacturing apparatus that is beingused to produce the product.

In Step 120, the information may be encoded. The encoding may beaccomplished by modifying the physical properties of the product. Theencoding may be performed by a processor such as 602 of FIG. 6. In someexemplary embodiments, the modification of physical properties may be achange of the aspect ratio, a change in length of the product, a changein the chemical composition, a change of the electromagnetic properties,a change in the infill density used to produce the product or portionthereof, a combination thereof, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, the encoded information may berepresented by a value of a physical property of the modified product(e.g., the length of the product, or a calculation based thereof), adifference between the values of the physical property of the modifiedproduct and the original data representation of the 3D object obtainedthe in Step 100 (e.g., the difference in length between the originalobject and the modified object), a combination thereof, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, the encoded information may berepresented by the absolute value of the physical property of theproduct. As an example, the encoded information may be encoded in alength of the product. The length may be measured in micro millimetersand the encoded information may be encoded in the last one or moredigits of the length measurement. As another example, the encodedinformation may be encoded as in a value obtained from performing amodulo operation on the length measurement, such as modulo twelve. Insome exemplary embodiments, the modified product may be modified so asto modify the value of the physical property to be the value whichencodes the desired information. In some exemplary embodiments, thevalue may be increased or decreased in order to achieve the desiredvalue.

In some exemplary embodiments, the modification may include embeddingwithin the product one or more replicas of a signature. In someexemplary embodiments, the signature may encode the information using amatrix of one or more dimensions. In some exemplary embodiments, thematrix may be a two dimensional or three dimensional matrix, and may berepresented by replicas such as 400 of FIG. 4 and 500 of FIG. 5. Areplica may be an array of cells each of which may correspond to adifferent value based on its content. In some embodiments, a pluralityof replicas of the signature may be embedded within the body portion ofthe product such as 350 of FIG. 3 and may be excluded from the skinportion of the product. In such embodiments, the replicas may beinvisible to the naked eye.

In Step 130, the modified representation of the 3D product may beproduced. The production of the 3D product may be executed by anadditive manufacturing apparatus such as 640 of FIG. 6. In someexemplary embodiments, the produced product may retain in its physicalproperties that can be decoded in order to obtain the information fromthe produced product.

In some exemplary embodiments, the method of FIG. 1 may be executed byan additive manufacturing apparatus, which may introduce into theproduced product information which the user may or may not desire to beincluded in the product. Such information may, for example, be used totrace the producer of the product.

Additionally or alternatively, Steps 100-120 may be executed by acomputerized device, such as a personal computer, in preparation forproducing the product using an additive manufacturing apparatus.

Referring now to FIG. 2 showing a flowchart diagram of a method inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

In Step 200, a digital representation of the 3D object may be obtainedto be used in producing a product. Step 200 may be similar to Step 100of FIG. 1. The digital representation may be a computer file such as aformat file usable for CAD software, a computer file representing the 3Dobject as layers to be printed by an AMA (e.g., STL format file), a filegenerated by a scanner (e.g., PLY format file), 3D vector graphicsrepresentation (e.g., VRML or X3D format file). In some exemplaryembodiments, the digital file may be obtained by an I/O module such as607 of FIG. 6, from sources such as for example the Internet such as 660of FIG. 6, a 3D scanner such as 650 of FIG. 6, a workstation such as 607of FIG. 6, or the like.

In Step 210, the proprietor information may be obtained. The proprietorinformation may be a part number, a brand name, any data relevant forthe product identification, licensing information, identification of alicense a combination thereof, or the like. In some exemplaryembodiments, the information may be retrieved from a memory unit such as605 of FIG. 6. Additionally or alternatively, the information may beentered by a user such 695 of FIG. 6 using workstation such as 690 ofFIG. 6.

In Step 220, a modified digital representation encoding the proprietorinformation may be generated. In some exemplary embodiments, themodification of Step 220 may be similar to that of Step 120 of FIG. 1.In some exemplary embodiments, a digital file retaining the modifieddigital representation may be created.

In Step 240, the generated file, or other digital representation of themodified 3D product, may be sent to a third party entity to be used inproducing the product. A third party entity may be a manufacturingfacility, a distributor of the given product, an end-user client, anyproduct licensee relevant for producing the product, or the like.

In Step 260, the modified digital representation of the product may beproduced by the third party. The production of the modified digitalrepresentation may utilize an additive manufacturing apparatus such as640 of FIG. 6.

In some exemplary embodiments, the generated file may be distributableover a computerized network and may be shared by the third party entitywith other entities which may or may not be authorized to produce theproduct. The disclosed subject matter may be utilized to trace the thirdparty that was provided with the file and as a result identify securityleaks, unauthorized distribution, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, the proprietor may provide differentthird parties with different files, each of which retaining differentproprietor information. In some exemplary embodiments, based on theencoded information in the product, the proprietor may identify whichversion was used to produce the product. As a result, the proprietor mayidentify which of the different third parties was involved,intentionally or unintentionally, in the production of the product.

Referring now to FIG. 3 showing a three dimensional tangible product, inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

A Product 300, such as a 3D tangible product, may comprise a BodyPortion 350 and a Skin Portion 340. In some exemplary embodiments, SkinPortion 340 may be an external casing of Body Portion 350. The externalcasing may be a surface of Product 300 that may come in contact with adifferent article, a liquid, atmosphere, a combination thereof, or thelike. The thickness of the Skin Portion 340 may be at least one voxel.Additionally or alternatively, Body Portion 350 and Skin Portion 340 maybe comprised of the same material composition, the same color, the samefinish, and other similar characteristics, or the like.

It will be noted that in some exemplary embodiments, Axis System 305 maybe an axis system that was used in designing Product 300. Additionallyor alternatively, Axis System 305 may be an axis system that was used byadditive manufacturing apparatus in production of Product 300. In someexemplary embodiments, the additive manufacturing apparatus mayiteratively produce successive layers, each of which in the XZ plane, ontop of one another (e.g. in accordance with the Y axis).

In some exemplary embodiments, a plurality of replicas of a signaturemay be embedded within Body Portion 350. A replica of the signature maybe an array comprising any given number of cells. In some exemplaryembodiments, the array may be a two dimensional array such as isexemplified in Horizontal Replica 310 and Vertical Replica 320, a threedimensional array such as 3D Replica 330, or the like.

Horizontal Replica 310 is a replica of a signature (not shown) whichencodes information. Horizontal Replica 310 comprises a two dimensionalarray. Horizontal Replica 310 may be embedded in Body Portion 340 in alocation parallel to the XZ plane illustrated by Axis System 305.

Vertical Replica 320 may be another replica of the signature (notshown). Vertical Replica 320 may comprise a two dimensional array.Vertical Replica 320 may be embedded in Body Portion 340 in a locationparallel to the XY plane illustrated by Axis System 305. Additionally oralternatively, Vertical Replica 320 may be embedded in Body Portion 340in a location parallel to the YZ plane illustrated by Axis System 305

3D Replica 330 may be another replica of the signature (not shown). 3DReplica 330 may comprise a three dimensional array. 3D Replica 330 maybe embedded in the space of Body Portion 340. In some exemplaryembodiments, 3D Replica 330 may be positioned in a manner that isaligned with Axis System 305.

In some exemplary embodiments, a single product, such as Product 300,may have embedded therein a plurality of replicas that may or may not beof the same type, such as Vertical Replica 320, Horizontal Replica 310and 3D Replica 330. In some exemplary embodiments, all replicas embeddedwithin Product 300 may correspond to the same signature and encode thesame information.

Referring now to FIG. 4 showing a two dimensional replica of thesignature in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter.

A Two Dimensional (2D) Replica 400 of a signature. The signature may bea 2D matrix. The 2D matrix may be represented by a two dimensional arraycomprising any given number of cells, wherein each cell may correspondto a different value based on its content. The resulting pattern of thearray may represent the content of the 2D matrix. In some exemplaryembodiments, the 2D Replica 400 may be a Horizontal Replica, such as 310of FIG. 3, a Vertical Replica, such as 310 of FIG. 3, or the like.

A cell, such as Cells 410, 412, 414, 416 and 418, may be comprised ofvolume elements, also referred to as voxels. A “voxel” is the smallestvolumetric element produced by a given AMA. The cell may be comprised ofany given number of voxels. In some exemplary embodiments, each cell mayof about a constant size.

The content of a cell may correspond to a value of an entry in thematrix. The value may be defined based on an amount of substancedeposited in the cell, a type of the substance deposited in the cell, acombination thereof, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, a different amount of substance depositedin the cell may define a different value, such as a cell comprising morethan a predetermined amount of substance or being full with above apredetermined portion may define a first value, whereas a cell notmeeting the above-mentioned threshold may define a second value. In someexemplary embodiments, a type of substance deposited in the cell maydefine a different value, such as a cell comprising a first substancemay correspond to a first value, a cell comprising a second substancemay correspond to a second substance, and so forth.

As an example, Cell 418, which may be an empty cell, may correspond to afirst value. As another example, Cell 412, which may be a cell full withprinting substance, may correspond to a second value. As yet anotherexample, Cell 410, which may be a cell partially full with printingsubstance, may correspond to a third value. It will be noted that aninfill density of a cell may define the value. As yet another example,the existence of a specific substance in a cell may define a fourthvalue, such as may be the case with Cell 414. As yet another example, ashape that is attained in the cell mat define a fifth value, such as maybe the case with Cell 416. As will be appreciated, the disclosed subjectmatter is not limited to any specific definition of values and anycombination of the exemplary definitions or other definitions may beutilized.

In some exemplary embodiments, Boundary Markers 420, 422, and 424 maydefine the boundaries of 2D Replica 400. The boundary markers may markvertexes on the margin of the array. Each one of the boundary marker maybe comprised of any given number of voxels and may or may not have asimilar size, a similar shape and similar substance content to oneanother. It will be noted that the disclosed subject matter is notlimited to any specific number of boundary markers.

In some exemplary embodiments, boundary markers, such as 420, 422 and424, may be used when decoding information from the tangible product toidentify the replicas embedded within the product.

In some exemplary embodiments, the matrix may include an errorcorrection code, an error detection code, or the like. When informationis decoded from the replica, the error correction or detection code maybe used to determine whether the decoded information is correct. In casethe decoded information is incorrect, in some embodiments, informationmay be decoded from another replica embedded within the same product.

In some exemplary embodiments, error correction/detection may beimplemented without use of error correction code, error detection code,or the like. Error correction/detection may be implemented by a majorityvoting procedure in which a plurality of replicas are decoded and theinformation which is consistent with a higher number of replicas isconsidered the correct decoded information.

Referring now to FIG. 5 showing a three dimensional replica of thesignature in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosedsubject matter.

Axis System 599 may be an axis system that was used in designing aproduct such as Product 300 of FIG. 3. Additionally or alternatively,Axis System 599 may overlap Axis System 305 of FIG. 3.

A 3D Replica 500 of the signature, may correspond to a 3D matrixencoding information. The 3D matrix may be represented by 3D Replica 500using a 3D array comprising any given number of cells, wherein each cellcorresponds to a different value based on its content. The resulting 3Dpattern of the 3D array may represent the content of a matrix. In someexemplary embodiments, 3D Replica 500 may be a 3D Replica, such as 330of FIG. 3, which may be embedded within Body Portion 340 of FIG. 3 in amanner that is aligned with Axis System 305 of FIG. 3.

In some exemplary embodiments, boundary markers may be utilized toidentify the boundaries of 3D Replica 500. As an example, BoundaryMarkers 520, 522, 524 and 526 may define the boundaries of 3D Replica500.

Referring now to FIG. 6 showing a block diagram of components of anapparatus, in accordance with some exemplary embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter. An Apparatus 600 may be a computerizedapparatus adapted to perform methods such as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2, and7.

In some exemplary embodiments, Apparatus 600 may comprise a Processor602. Processor 602 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), amicroprocessor, an electronic circuit, an Integrated Circuit (IC) or thelike. Additionally or alternatively, Apparatus 600 can be implemented asfirmware written for or ported to a specific processor such as DigitalSignal Processor (DSP) or microcontrollers, or can be implemented ashardware or configurable hardware such as field programmable gate array(FPGA) or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Processor 602may be utilized to perform computations required by Apparatus 600 or anyof it subcomponents.

In some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, Apparatus600 may comprise an Input/Output (I/O) Module 607. Apparatus 600 mayutilize I/O Module 607 as an interface to transmit and/or receiveinformation and instructions between Apparatus 600 and external I/Odevices, such as a Workstation 690, a 3D Scanner 650, the Internet 660,an Additive Manufacturing Apparatus 640, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, I/O Module 607 may be used to provide aninterface to a User 695 of the system, such as by providing output,visualized results, reports, or the like. User 695 may use Workstation690 to input the information to be encoded. It will be appreciated thatApparatus 600 can operate without human operation.

In some exemplary embodiments, a 3D Scanner 650 may be used. 3D Scanner650 may be a device that analyzes existing tangible object and collectsdata on its shape and its appearance. The collected data may be adigital representation of the tangible object. In some exemplaryembodiments, 3D Object 620 may be obtained from 3D Scanner 650.

In some exemplary embodiments, an internet connection may be used toconnect Apparatus 600 to the Internet 660. The Internet 660 mayfacilitate the process of communicating a 3D Object 620, an Encoded 3DObject 610, or a similar digital representation, between a proprietorand a manufacturer.

In some exemplary embodiments, AMA 640 may operate as a slave outputdevice of Apparatus 600 to execute printing tasks. Additionally oralternatively, Apparatus 600 may be a 3D printer which may perform theprinting tasks on its own.

In some exemplary embodiments, Apparatus 600 may comprise a Memory Unit605. Memory Unit 605 may be persistent or volatile. For example, MemoryUnit 605 can be a Flash disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a memorychip, an optical storage device such as a CD, a DVD, or a laser disk; amagnetic storage device such as a tape, a hard disk, storage areanetwork (SAN), a network attached storage (NAS), or others; asemiconductor storage device such as Flash device, memory stick, or thelike. In some exemplary embodiments, Memory Unit 605 may retain programcode to activate Processor 602 to perform acts associated with any ofthe steps shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7. Memory Unit 605 may also be usedto retain a 3D Object 620, an Encoded 3D Object 610, information toencode (not shown), or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, 3DObject 620 is a digital representation of a 3D object that may be usedfor encoding data. In some exemplary embodiments, an Encoded 3D Object610 may be a digital representation of a modified 3D object which isbased on 3D Object 620 and encodes information in the physicalproperties of the modified 3D object.

The components detailed below may be implemented as one or more sets ofinterrelated computer instructions, executed for example by Processor602 or by another processor. The components may be arranged as one ormore executable files, dynamic libraries, static libraries, methods,functions, services, or the like, programmed in any programming languageand under any computing environment.

A 3D Encoder 630 may be configured to acquire information for encodingusing the 3D Object 620. In some exemplary embodiments, 3D Encoder 630may be configured to determine a signature that encodes the information,calculate a new set of physical properties based on the information, orthe like. In some exemplary embodiments, 3D Encoder 630 may generateEncoded 3D Object 610 by modifying 3D Object 620 and embedding therein aplurality of replicas of the signature, by altering the physicalproperties data, by performing a combination thereof, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 7, showing a flowchart diagram of a method inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

In Step 700, information may be obtained. The information may beinformation provided by a proprietor, information related to themanufacturing process, a combination thereof, or the like. In someexemplary embodiments, Step 700 may be performed by an AMA.

In Step 710, the additive manufacturing apparatus, such as AMA 640, maydetermine a signature to encode the information. The determination mayresult in a 2D matrix expression of the signature. The 2D matrix may berepresented by a Horizontal Replica of the signature, such as 310 ofFIG. 3, a Vertical Replica of the signature, such as 310 of FIG. 3, acombination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the matrixexpression may be a 3D matrix expression.

In Step 720, the additive manufacturing apparatus may be instructed toprint a layer of the tangible product.

In Step 740, the additive manufacturing apparatus may determine at leastone location in the layer suitable for populating a Horizontal Replicaof the signature, a Vertical Replica of the signature, a 3D Replica, acombination thereof, or the like.

A suitable location in the layer may be a location that can accommodatethe content of a first layer of the replica. In some exemplaryembodiments, a single layer may be sufficient to contain the replica,such as in case of a horizontal replica having a height of a singlevoxel. Additionally or alternatively, in case the replica requires morethan a single layer, in successive layers, the AMA may populate the nextlayer of the replica directly above the previous layer of the replica,which was populated in the previous layer.

It will be noted, that in some embodiments, the AMA may not have apriori knowledge of successive layers of the product. In some cases, theAMA may print an incomplete replica in case one of the successive layersis not able to accommodate a layer of the replica in appropriatelocation. As an example, the incomplete replica may be printed near asurface of the product and may be cut off due to the defined boundariesof the product.

In Step 750, the additive manufacturing apparatus may produce the layer.The layer may or may not comprise at least one layer of the replica.

Referring now to FIG. 8, showing a flowchart diagram of a method inaccordance with some exemplary embodiments of the disclosed subjectmatter.

In Step 800, an analysis of the physical properties of a 3D tangibleproduct may be performed. In some exemplary embodiments, the analysisreveals information which may be encoded in physical properties such asfor example an aspect ratio, a product length, a chemical composition,electromagnetic characteristics, an infill density, a combinationthereof, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, the analysis mayreveal information that is based on the absolute value of the physicalproperty or based on the relative value with respect to an originalunmodified version of the 3D tangible product, or the like. In someexemplary embodiments, the analysis may identify one or more replicas ofa signature within the product and reveal information encoded in suchreplicas. In some exemplary embodiments, the analysis of the encodedinformation may be conducted by utilizing test equipment such as a CTscanner, an MRI scanner, a scale, a spectrometer, a 3D scanner, or thelike. Additionally or alternatively, analyzing the physical propertiesof the product may require destructive mechanical process in whichlayers of the product may be iteratively removed and analyzed.Additionally or alternatively, the analysis may be a non-destructiveprocess, which may not affect the structural integrity of the product.

In some exemplary embodiments, the information is not encoded on aprinted matter such as for example a barcode and a Quick Response (QR)Code. Additionally or alternatively, the information is not encoded onRadio-frequency identification (RFID) chip.

In Step 810, the revealed encoded information may be decoded. In someexemplary embodiments, the decoded information may comprise a MACAddress of the AMA, a product serial number, manufacturing time, a partnumber, a brand name, a licensing information, identification of alicensee, any data relevant for the product identification, acombination thereof, or the like.

In Step 820, a report of the decoded information may be generated. Insome exemplary embodiments, the report may be used in assisting withtracing illegal products such as guns, unauthorized copies of commercialproducts which were produced by 3D printers, or the like.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof program code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, Steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, Steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the disclosed subjectmatter may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product.Accordingly, the disclosed subject matter may take the form of anentirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects that may all generally bereferred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore,the present invention may take the form of a computer program productembodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer-usableprogram code embodied in the medium.

Any combination of one or more computer usable or computer readablemedium(s) may be utilized. The computer-usable or computer-readablemedium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus,device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a non-exhaustivelist) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: anelectrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computerdiskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory(CDROM), an optical storage device, a transmission media such as thosesupporting the Internet or an intranet, or a magnetic storage device.Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even bepaper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, asthe program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, opticalscanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, orotherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then storedin a computer memory. In the context of this document, a computer-usableor computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store,communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or inconnection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.The computer-usable medium may include a propagated data signal with thecomputer-usable program code embodied therewith, either in baseband oras part of a carrier wave. The computer usable program code may betransmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited towireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, and the like.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the presentinvention may be written in any combination of one or more programminglanguages, including an object oriented programming language such asJava, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer,partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partlyon the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely onthe remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remotecomputer may be connected to the user's computer through any type ofnetwork, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network(WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (forexample, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or Step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: obtaining a representationof a three dimensional object having physical properties; obtaininginformation to encode within the three dimensional object when produced;modifying the physical properties to determine modified physicalproperties, wherein said modifying comprises encoding the informationwithin the physical properties; and producing a tangible product,wherein the tangible product is the three dimensional object having themodified physical properties, wherein said producing is performed by anapparatus, wherein the information is an identifier of the apparatus,whereby the tangible product encodes within its physical properties theinformation, whereby the information is decodable from the tangibleproduct.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein, the apparatus is an additivemanufacturing apparatus.
 3. A method comprising: obtaining arepresentation of a three dimensional object having physical properties;obtaining information to encode within the three dimensional object whenproduced; modifying the physical properties to determine modifiedphysical properties, wherein said modifying comprises encoding theinformation within the physical properties; and producing a tangibleproduct, wherein the tangible product is the three dimensional objecthaving the modified physical properties, wherein the information isprovided by a proprietor of the three dimensional object, wherein theinformation is useful for identifying an entity which was provided withthe representation of the three dimensional object, whereby the tangibleproduct encodes within its physical properties the information, wherebythe information is decodable from the tangible product.
 4. A methodcomprising: obtaining a representation of a three dimensional objecthaving physical properties; obtaining information to encode within thethree dimensional object when produced; modifying the physicalproperties to determine modified physical properties, wherein saidmodifying comprises encoding the information within the physicalproperties, wherein the physical properties comprise a definition of abody portion of the three dimensional object; wherein said determiningthe modified physical properties comprises: determining an array ofcells representing the information, wherein a content of a volumeelement in a cell represents a value of the cell, wherein a pattern ofthe array encodes the information; and embedding within the body portiona plurality of replicas of the array of cells; and wherein said methodfurther comprises producing a tangible product, wherein the tangibleproduct is the three dimensional object having the modified physicalproperties, whereby the tangible product encodes within its physicalproperties the information, whereby the information is decodable fromthe tangible product.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality ofreplicas comprises a horizontal replica, wherein the horizontal replicais embedded in a horizontal layer of the tangible product.
 6. The methodof claim 4, wherein the plurality of replicas comprises a verticalreplica, wherein the vertical replica is embedded in a vertical crosssection of the tangible product.
 7. The method of claim 6, furthercomprising: determining a location suitable for populating a first rowof the vertical replica in a first horizontal layer; embedding the firstrow of the vertical replica in the first horizontal layer; andrepetitively embedding next rows of the vertical replica in nexthorizontal layers directly above previous rows of the vertical replica.8. The method of claim 4, wherein the tangible product comprises a bodyportion and a skin portion, wherein at least a portion of the pluralityof replicas are excluded from the skin portion.
 9. A method comprising:obtaining a representation of a three dimensional object having physicalproperties; obtaining information to encode within the three dimensionalobject when produced; modifying the physical properties to determinemodified physical properties, wherein said modifying comprises encodingthe information within the physical properties, wherein said encodingencodes the information in a property which is selected from the groupconsisting of: physical dimensions of the three dimensional object;aspect ratio between at least two size measurements of the threedimensional object; weight of the three dimensional object; andcomposition of matter of the three dimensional object; and wherein saidmethod further comprises producing a tangible product, wherein thetangible product is the three dimensional object having the modifiedphysical properties, whereby the tangible product encodes within itsphysical properties the information, whereby the information isdecodable from the tangible product.
 10. A method comprising: obtaininga representation of a three dimensional object having physicalproperties; obtaining information to encode within the three dimensionalobject when produced; modifying the physical properties to determinemodified physical properties, wherein said modifying the physicalproperties comprises altering an infill percentage of the tangibleproduct, wherein said altering the infill percentage encodes theinformation within the physical properties; and producing a tangibleproduct, wherein the tangible product is the three dimensional objecthaving the modified physical properties, whereby the tangible productencodes within its physical properties the information, whereby theinformation is decodable from the tangible product.
 11. A tangibleproduct comprising: a three dimensional tangible object having modifiedphysical properties; and wherein the modified physical properties are amodification of physical properties, wherein the modification encodesinformation, wherein said tangible product encodes within its physicalproperties the information, whereby the information is decodable fromthe tangible product, wherein the tangible product is produced by anadditive manufacturing apparatus, wherein the information is selectedfrom the group consisting of: information provided by a proprietor ofthe tangible product and an identifier of the additive manufacturingapparatus.
 12. A tangible product comprising: a three dimensionaltangible object having modified physical properties; and wherein themodified physical properties are a modification of physical properties,wherein the modification encodes information, wherein said tangibleproduct encodes within its physical properties the information, wherebythe information is decodable from the tangible product, wherein thetangible product is produced by an additive manufacturing apparatus,wherein the modification of physical properties embeds within a body ofthe tangible product a plurality of replicas of an array of cells,wherein a content of a volume element in a cell represents a value ofthe cell, wherein a pattern of the array encodes the information.
 13. Atangible product comprising: a three dimensional tangible object havingmodified physical properties; and wherein the modified physicalproperties are a modification of physical properties, wherein themodification encodes information, wherein said tangible product encodeswithin its physical properties the information, whereby the informationis decodable from the tangible product, wherein the tangible product isproduced by an additive manufacturing apparatus, wherein themodification of physical properties modifies at least one propertyselected from the group consisting of: physical dimensions of the threedimensional tangible object; an aspect ratio between at least two sizemeasurements of the three dimensional tangible object; a weight of thethree dimensional tangible object; a composition of matter of the threedimensional tangible object; and infill of at least a portion of thethree dimensional tangible object.
 14. A method comprising: analyzingphysical properties of a three dimensional tangible object, wherein thethree dimensional tangible object was produced by an additivemanufacturing apparatus, wherein information is encoded within thephysical properties, wherein the three dimensional tangible objectcomprises a plurality of embedded replicates of a signature that encodesthe information; wherein said analyzing comprises identifying areplicate of the signature; decoding, by a processor, the informationfrom the physical properties, wherein said decoding comprises decodingthe information from the replica; and outputting the information.